Wreck - The Conference
The “Conference”
Iron Barque (421 tons), sunk 1904.
Location:
Lat. 31° 40′ S., Long. 115° 39′ E.
History
The 421 ton 3 masted iron barque was built in Warrington in 1855 and was owned by Mr James Huddart. She measured 164.8 feet in length, had a beam of 26.3 feet and was 15.9 feet deep.
Her registered number was 025992. Mystery surrounds the events leading up to the sinking. It is rumoured that she hit a reef at night after being stolen from Fremantle and that an escapee from Fremantle Prison was onboard.
It is also suggested that she was deliberately scuttled. This seems most unlikely as Jervois Bay was commonly used for this purpose in 1904.
The Wreck
Located in 12 to 15 metres of fractured reef terrain, the steel remains substantial. The ribs can be clearly seen, the mast is laying across the wreck at amidships, the stern section remains standing and part of the wreck has formed an archway.
Various remains of machinery are distinguishable and bunker coal litters the ocean floor. The area is home to a large variety of sea-life including some beautiful corals and sponges.
Nearby there are some ledges that often contain a number of crayfish. In good sea conditions the Conference is a magnificent dive. It takes only 15 or 20 minutes to travel to the wreck site in Reef Charters dive boat from Mindarie Keys.
